NORTH SUMATRAT

NORTH SUMATRATravelling in Indonesia

Along the length of this province crosses the Bukit Barisan mountains with peaks of numerous volcanoes. In between are several lakes, one among them is the famous Toba Lake. The land has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers, waterfalls and sandy beaches.

It has a rich flora and fauna. An abundance of birds, butterflies, buffaloes, deer, mouse deer, orang utans and many other export commodities make North Sumatra one of the richest provinces in Indonesia, as it produces more than 30 % of Indonesia's exports. The province offers the visitors, especially nature lovers, beautiful tropical panoramas, terraced rice fields, blue mountains, jungle covered hills, white sandy beaches, music, dance and folk arts.

The people are hospitable and warm. The major tribes are the Malays of the eastern coast, the Bataks consisting of sub-tribes such as Toba, Simalungun, Pak Pak (Dairi), Karonese of the highlands around Lake Toba, the Mandailing and Angkolas from the southern part. Nias Island is inhabited by the Nias tribe, off the western coast of the province. Besides them are several ethnic groups who live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra. Its largest groups are Chinese and Indian, being naturalized Indonesian citizens. Other Indonesian tribes like Acehnese, Minangkabau, Javanese, etc. also live in many parts here. Each of the mentioned tribes as well as the ethnic groups has its own dialect, religion, beliefs, traditional customs, etc. Arts and cultures make this region, a paradise for social scientists. Among the ancient Indonesian cultures which can be seen at Samosir island are the centuries old tombs of Batak Toba kings and a stone-table with its benches, where meetings were formerly held by the Siallagan chiefs.
PLACES OF INTEREST

Medan

Medan was once the site of a battlefield between the Aceh people and the neighboring Deli Kingdom. Medan is the capital of North Sumatra Province, a trading center and important harbor.

Once Medan was part of the Deli Sultanate. What is historically most interesting is the Mesjid Besar (Grand Mosque) and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli which has been restored to revive its past grandeur.

Medan's harbor town is called Belawan, which is the sea link to Penang, Malaysia. Medan, Indonesia's western international gateway maintains regular flight to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Amsterdam and Vienna. Additionally, there are several air connections between Medan and Jakarta, and other destinations in Sumatra.

Crocodile Farm

Medan has the largest crocodile farm in Indonesia. Here one can see how the crocodile eggs are hatched, and then reared somewhere else. This farm is located at Asam Kumbang, 5 km from the heart of the city, and has nearly 2000 crocodiles of different kinds.

Bohorok

This place is for the adventurous, accessible through Sumatra's inland wilderness, crossing rivers and going over steep hills. The area lies south of the Mount Leuser National Park, a rehabilitation center for orang utans in Bahorok, which was inaugurated in 1973,. Orang utans living here are of Sumatra and Kalimantan origin.

Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park

Located at Tongkoh village in the district of the Karo highlands, approx. 59 km from Medan. Formerly Tahura Bukit Barisan since 1916, known for its location called Arboretum Tongkoh Berastagi, however since 1989 renovated and renamed Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park.

Found there is the zoological museum and a gazebo with Karo ornaments designed on the top of the roof, painted with various writings of typical welcome greetings in Tapanuli, which is Horas.

Berastagi

Berastagi, a tourist town, is another lovely town located in the Karo highlands. The town is known for its plantations and various kinds of flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the Marquisa passion fruit.

It's 66 km southwest of Medan and is 4.594 feet above sea level. There is a pleasant colonial-style hotel with a golf course. Other new hotels can also be found. From Gundaling Hill a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes can be seen.

The Village of Lingga

Located some 15 km from Berastagi, is a unique Batak Karo village where traditional houses are still well-preserved and inhabited today. Five to six families live in each house, un-separated by any partition, while each family have their own stoves.

Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging

Tongging is a place to see a waterfall surrounded by beautiful sights in cool mountain air. It is 24 km from Kabanjahe, located at the north side of Lake Toba. The 360 feet waterfall is visible from a gazebo at one top of a hill.

Rumah Solon

House of Bolon (Rumah Bolon), the long house that belonged to King Simalungun, has now been restored and redesigned into a museum.

Lake Toba - Parapat

The town of Parapat is the main tourist resort and lies on the very shore of Lake Toba. This lake is about 50 miles long and 16 miles across, with a depth of about 1,400 feet.

In Parapat live Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun tribes, and are happy and easy going people. They are known for their lively and sentimental love songs.

Recreational sports in Parapat are among others swimming, water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing. Golf is at Sally golf course (19 holes), about 5 km from Parapat.

Parapat is 176 from Medan and can be reached in 4 hours by bus. The climate in Parapat is cool and dry, making Parapat an ideal place to relax. Many hotels, bungalows, villas, rest-houses welcome visitors. Small shops sell souvenirs such as Ulos (local woven cloths) and specific fruits locally grown.

Samosir Island

The island of Samosir is right in the middle of Lake Toba, covering an area of 329 square miles. This island is the original home of the fiercest but kind hearted Toba Bataks. It can be reached in half an hour by boat from Parapat. The villages of Tomok, Tuk-tuk, Siallagan, Ambarita are recommended for traditional Batak Toba houses, and local dances. This island has many hotels, bungalows, and rest houses.

Jangga

Jangga is a village of native Bataks, located in the hills, on the main road to other Batak communities living separately there, like Lumban Nabolon, Tonga-Tonga Sirait Uruk, Janji Matogu, Sihubak hubak, Siregar, Sigaol, Silalahi Toruan Muara and Tomok Sihotang. There are monuments of King Tambun and King Manurung, traditional houses, cultural and other historical remains left by Batak kings centuries ago. This original native Batak village has complete ornamentation, and is much visited by domestic and foreign visitors. Visitors can watch young girls or old women weaving the beautiful ulos cloth inside the booths their principle livelihood beside agriculture.

Pematang Siantar

Pematang Siantar is the second largest city, lying 128 km to the South of Medan. On the way, you will pass through many rubber, cocoa, palm oil, tobacco and tea plantations. This is the richest part of North Sumatera, because these plantations produce the main export commodities.

Then onward to Lake Toba you will see a vast stretch of land covered with thick forests, plantations, terraced rice fields, lush vegetation, green hills and mountains.

Pandan Beach

A seaside resort with white sandy beaches where a fishing village can be found 11 km from Sibolga.

Here the visitors can enjoy the magnificent view of the Indian Ocean and see fishermen in their sailing boats from the beach to the open sea. The restaurants offer you the grilled fresh fish just caught from the sea. Small souvenir shops selling sea shells, corals, ring-stones, etc. are available here.

Nias Island

This island lies off West Sumatra in the Indian Ocean. The villages of Bawomataluo and Hilisimae are curions places to visit, where visitors can see performances of traditional war-dances and thrilling high- jump sports, i.e. people making dangerous leaps over 2 meter-high stones. Typical scenes are dancers clad in traditional costumes with bird feathers on their heads, a hall for the Chief-of Tribe built on wooden logs with stone chairs weighing up to 18 tons. There are daily flights from Medan to Nias island.

South Tapanuli

It lies in the southern part of North Sumatra, bordering the provinces of West Sumatra and Riau. This region has a population of about 900,000 and lies on the way to West Sumatra. The sceneries are attractive all the way. Some of the tourist objects are Candi Portibi, Dolok Simago-mago, Pakantan, Husor Tolang, Sibanggor, Adian Lungun Niroha.

There are also hot springs and a good hotel available at Tor Sibohi.

This district is known for its ceramics and handicrafts. The Portibi temple is at Padang Bolak, 78 km from Padang Sidempuan, or 518 km from Medan. There are cultural remnants of a Hindu temple of the Kingdom of Panai, founded in 1039 A.D.

Shopping Hints

Thick cotton hand-woven cloth for sarongs, headdress and stoles. Also available are wood carved panels, wall decorations and statues from Samosir and Nias, mainly of a primitive style. There are also accessories made of sea-shells, boar tusks and buffalo horn.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels are concentrated in the provincial capital of Medan and in the lake resort town of Parapat. Leading the list in Medan are Danau Toba International and Tiara, both classified as four-star hotels. These hotels have convention facilities, health centers, restaurants and night clubs.

All three and two-star hotels in Medan have air conditioning. All have attached bathrooms, restaurants, phones in the rooms and some have TV sets.

One-star hotels do not have all rooms with attached bathrooms or air conditioning in all rooms

WEST SUMATRA

WEST SUMATRATravelling in Indonesia

Map of WEST SUMATRA

The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang.

Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves.

The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system which clusters around mosques and the traditional adat houses. As it is the women who own the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coast line where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving).

Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra. Garuda Indonesia has three daily flights to Jakarta, one daily flight to Palembang and Medan. Three flights weekly to Pekanbaru, three direct flights to Singapore and two flights to Batam.

Merpati Nusantara Airlines has daily flight to Jakarta and one flight every Tuesday to Pekanbaru and Rokot (Mentawai Islands). Mandala Airlines has dally flight to Jakarta. There is a fortnightly ship service to Jakarta by MV. Kerinci from Teluk Bayur harbor.

The voyage takes some 30 hours. There are also some small vessels from Muara harbor to some small towns along the west coast of Sumatra.

There are regular bus services between Padang and Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, and via the trans-Sumatera Highway to Jakarta, and onward to Denpasar.
PLACES OF INTEREST

Padang a capital of west sumatra

Padang a capital of west sumatra



The capital of West Sumatera, Padang has several houses built in traditional architecture, including the Padang Museum which houses objects of cultural and historical interest.

Its beach on the bay of Bungus with its white sands is good for swimming, boating or just watching the fishing boats going out to sea in the afternoon. Small boats can be hired from here to some small islands nearby: Sirandah, Sikoai, Pagang, Parsumpahan.

Bukittinggi

The heart of the highlands, Bukittinggi is a two-hours drive through beautiful countryside of the Anai valley and up to the Agam Plateau. A center of attraction is the town's clock-tower, topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred to by the people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent surroundings.

Located 930 meters above sea level, Bukittinggi, formerly named Fort De Cock by the Dutch, has a cool climate and is surrounded by three volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. In the outskirts of the town is the Ngarai Sianok, a canyon separating Bukittinggi from Kota Gadang, 12 km away overland.

Kota Gadang is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.

Also worth visiting is the Museum which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi) every Tuesday at 5.00 p.m.

Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta

It is a botanical garden covering 70,000 ha, with a rare collection of flora and fauna, situated on the way to Solok, about 300 - 1,000 m above sea level.

The cool mountain air and panoramic views make this area a popular resort for both the young and old.

Monkeys and other animals can be seen here, and are protected by the Park Warden. Transportation to Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta is easy.

Pandai Sikat

The village of Pandai Sikat is 10 km from Bukittinggi with its hand weaving and carving industry. The village has 1000 looms and turns out richly interwoven cloth. Carved wooden ornaments and furniture are also made here.

Lake Maninjau

A winding road with 44 sharp turns descends to Lake Maninjau, 36 km from Bukittinggi. A crater lake, it abounds with fish. There are also facilities for swimming and water skiing. The village of Matur, overlooking lakes, arranges dance performances on request.

Lake Singkarak

Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Singkarak Lake, 36 km from Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area.

Payakumbuh(west sumatra)

Payakumbuh

A picturesque village and market place. Fine basketry is available here. It is 35 km from Bukittinggi and a little further up is the most dramatic view on the Harau Valley.

Harau Valley

Along the road to Harau Valley is a lovely countryside. Steep granite walls shelter the fertile valley. A waterfall, 150 meters high falls into a basin. The Harau Valley is a nature and wildlife reserve, where tapir, siamangs, boars, wild goats and tigers still roam. The Harau Valley is 15 km from Payakumbuh.

Rimba Panti Nature Reserve

Fauna and flora of the Rima Panti Nature Reserve are protected. It is situated 103 km from Bukittinggi. Stop at Batang Palupuh, 16 km from Bukittinggi.

There, in a small reserve is the Rafflesia Arnoldi, the biggest flower in existence, which blooms only once a year. Sixty km from Bukittinggi on this road is a small monument defining the equator at the village of Bonjol.

The reserve's inhabitants include several species of monkeys, honey bears, tigers, flying squirrels, birds, butterflies, etc. A guide can be obtained from the office at the reserve. The provincial office of the Directorate of Nature Conservation (BKSAA) at Padang can give you complete information.

Pantai Arta and Kata

Both these places are popular beach resorts for the local people. Arta beach is located about 23 km from the center of Pariaman. It is known for its beautiful pine trees along the sea shore. The sandy beaches, clean water and bright sunshine are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The pine trees can protect you from the direct sun rays. Kata beach is about 2 km south of Pariaman.

Mentawai Islands

Four islands make up the Mentawai cluster off the West Sumatra coast: Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is well known for its untouched forests, a part of a nature reserve inhabited by a number of animal species not found anywhere else, among them some rare monkey species. Beautiful coral reefs are found offshore.

Anai Valley

The surroundings of the Anai Valley are magnificent. The dense tropical forest all around is most impressive and is a nature reserve.

Below runs the river Anai with its crystal clear water. Just on the side of the road is a 40 m high waterfall.

Ngalau Indah Caves

On the road from Bukittinggi to Payakumbuh these caves extend deep into the mountainside. The domain of thousands of bats which you won't see but only hear and sense as they fly close over your head.

At the main entrance is a stone with an outline of an elephant visible on its face. The coolness and damp air is refreshing after the tropical heat outside. The path through these caves leads out to the top of the mountain from where it is quite panoramic. The drive up to the hillside is itself worth making because of the variety of the exquisite views along way.

Batusangkar (west sumatra)

Batusangkar

An old small town, 50 km southeast of Bukit-tinggi, it is a centre of the ancient Minangkabau culture. Pagaruyung is the historical site of a Minangkabau kingdom in the 14th century. Nearby is where some archaeological vestiges, such as the Written Stone, the Stabbed Stone and some other relics can be found.

Pariangan/Belimbing

It is said that this little village came into being at the time of the big deluge. It is situated on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, thought to be the cradle of the Minangkabau culture. This historical village still reflects the pure social structure of the Minangkabau conception of a village. A mosque, a council house and traditional house with rice-barns form the nucleus of the village.

Padangpanjang Part of west sumatra

Padangpanjang

The conservatory of Padangpanjang is a national institute specializing in the Minangkabau music and dances.

Solok, Diatas and Dibawah Lakes

Solok lies on the Trans-Sumatra Highway, 64 km from Padang and 76 km from Bukittinggi. The town has some fine examples of Minangkabau architecture with horn-shaped roofs and outer walls of wood, completely carved and painted in brilliant colors. Sixty km from Solok are the Twin Lakes (Danau Diatas and Danau Dibawah) which are becoming popular as a holiday resort.

Cool mountain air and beautiful landscapes seen from the hill between the two lakes have made this spot extraordinary.

Set only about 1 km apart, one of the lakes is on a slightly higher elevation than the other.

The spot offers an impressive panorama of the surrounding countryside and offers itself excellently to hiking or camping.

Shopping Hints

Hand-woven silk sarongs, embroidered garments and house-linen, richly woven cloth, gold and silver threads jewelry, wood carving, ornaments of coconut shell and seashells. There are also traditional copper-ware and miniature models of Minangkabau houses.

ACCOMMODATION

West Sumatra has several small comfortable hotels, though none of the deluxe class. Three and two- star hotels all have air-conditioning in Padang, with attached bathrooms, telephones and TV sets. A few are such as Muara, Pangeran, Marianis International and Machudum. In Bukittinggi, Benteng and Minang hotels have a homely atmosphere and Denai Hotel has cottages.

RIAU

Travelling in Indonesia

The territory of this rich province includes a sizable slice of the eastern Sumatran coast and more than 3,000 islands of all sizes.

Riau, although comparatively small in both size and population (about 2.5 million), is the heartland of the Malays and the cradle of Indonesia's Malay-based national language and culture. The first book of Malay grammar, the Bustanul Katibin, was written and published here in 1857. Its links with Johor on the West Malaysian mainland have been long and strong.

Sitting astride one of the world's oldest and busiest trade routes, the Strait of Malacca, the Riau islands have for many centuries provided a safe haven to ships plying the sea lanes between Europe, India and China. The rise of Malay power, however, began somewhere around the 13th century, when that of the Buddhist kingdom of Sriwijaya began to crumble. Malay kingdoms emerged on both sides of the Malacca Strait.

In 1402, Parameswara founded Malacca, a kingdom which was to play a pivotal role in the history of the area in the century that was to come. Being the first to come into contact with European and other seafarers, the language of the area, Malay was adopted by the newcomers to make themselves understood in the region. So, apparently, the spread of the language began in 1511, however, Malacca fell to the Portuguese who had come in their quest for gold, gospel and glory. Malacca's Sultan Mahmud Syah fled south, settling first in Johore, then in Bintan in the Riau archipelago.

Since then, it was a period of wars and intrigues for the Malay states around the Straits, further aggravated by the arrival of the Dutch and the British in the early 17th century. To make a long and complicated story short, peace was restored only after the signing of the Treaty of London in 1824, giving the Dutch control of all the European territories south of Singapore, and the British of all the colonies towards its north.

The link between Johor and Riau was severed. With the subjugation and dissolution of the recalcitrant Riau sultanate in 1911, the Dutch effectively established their power over the islands. Riau's cultural clout, however, endured.

The smallest islands of the Riau archipelago are no more than rocky reefs, about one hectare (2.5 acres). The larger Bintan, Lingga and Singkep islands are about 1,000 hectares in size.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Pekanbaru part of sumatra

Pekanbaru(near singapure)

About 160 km upstream on the Siak river, Pekanbaru, Riau's provincial capital, has a number of buildings in the traditional style of the area, among them the Balai Dang Merdu, the Balai Adat and Taman Budaya Riau or Riau Cultural Park.

The Siak Sultanate's Park

This Moorish style palace of the Sultan of Siak, 120 km upstream from Pekanbaru on the siak river, was built in 1889 by Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abduljalil Syarifuddin. Now a museum, the palace contains the sultanate's royal paraphernalia and other items of historical interest. Established during the 16th century, the Siak Seri Inderapura sultanate lasted until 1946, when it became victim to the popular upheavals following the Japanese surrender at the close of World War II.

Candi Muara Takus

Like many other structures of its kind in Sumatra, this Buddhist stupa near the village of Muara Takus in the Tigabelas Koto district, was built with red bricks and sand. The temple is believed to have been built at around the 9th or 10th century A.D. when the power of the South Sumatra-based Sriwijaya empire was at its peak. Excavations are still being made to determine the precise age and function of the stupa.

Tanjung Pinang

A busy little town on Bintan Island, visited by traders from Jakarta, Medan, Palembang and other big cities in Indonesia. Tanjung Pinang is only a two-hour boat ride away from Singapore. The town has a Museum located on jl. Katamso.

A large section of the old part of the town was built in traditional local fashion, on stilts, over the water. Bintan is a good point of departure to other islands in the area.

Penyengat Island

This island, six km away from Tanjung Pinang, can be reached in 15 minutes by sampan boat. The seat of the powerful Bugis descended viceroys of Riau during the 18th century, Penyengat still bears the traces of its illustrious past. Ruins, abandoned for almost 70 years, were recently restored. The old ruler's palace and royal tombs, among them the grave of the respected Sultan Haji, author of the first Malay Language grammar book, are among the legacies left by the Riau sultanate. Still in use is the old vice-royal mosque, the Mesjid Raya.

A newly built cultural center for stage performances of Malay music and dances can also be found.

Kerumutan Nature Reserve

Located on mainland Riau in the Kuala Kampar district, this 120,000 hectares (30,000 acres) nature reserve can be reached in 18 hours by motor boat from Pekanbaru. The boat sails up a calm river surrounded by virgin forests.

The Island of Batam

A very strategic island in Indonesia, Batam lies close to Singapore, designated as a center of not only industry, but also tourism and trade. It is one among Indonesia's key locations of industrialgrowth.

The Batuampar area is called a pioneer area and is being rapidly developed. While in the region of Sekupang significant projects have been in progress.

The Nongsa region has been set aside as a recreation area. Four golf courses, hotels, motels and marina sports facilities are there as well as a forest reserve managed by the Batam Industrial Development Authority.

The Batam Center is designed for the administrative and commercial centre of Batam island.

Hotels of international standard have recently been completed on Nogsa Beach. Batam can be reached in two hours from Tanjung Pinang by ferry, and in about half an hour from Singapore.

Beaches

Riau with its thousands of islands has plenty of scenic beaches and diving spots, among them Trikora on Bintan and Pasir Panjang on Rupat Island. The first is about 50 kilometers south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Pasir Panjang, on the northern side of Rupat facing the Strait of Malacca, is a stretched out natural beach with waves that make it attractive for surfing. Good beaches are also found on the islands of Terkulai and Soreh, about an hour's distance by boat from Tanjung Pinang. One of the most popular beaches is Nongsa on Batam Island. From here one can see the Singapore skyline.

Sea Gardens

Sea gardens with beautiful corals and fish are found in the waters around the islands of Mapor, Abang, Pompong, Balang, and Tanjung Berkait.

SOUTH SUMATRA

SOUTH SUMATRATravelling in Indonesia

Situated on the eastern side of the Bukit Barisan mountain range the province of South Sumatra is relatively flat, nevertheless fertile, as numerous rivers crisscross and meander through out the region. Part of this province are two sizable islands called Bangka and Belitung, off Sumatra's east coast in the South China Sea. Palembang, its capital city and gateway to the province, lies right on the banks of the great Musi river, 60 km upstream and navigable by oceangoing vessels. No wonder that most major social and economic activities should center in and around Palembang and the Musi river where the region's pride, the Ampera Bridge, is found as well.

Because of its sheer location on the southernmost rim of the South China Sea and close to one of world's busiest sea lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the region's historical background is undoubtedly rich and colorful. Once the very site of the Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya, it practiced a bustling trade with then ancient China during its era of dynasties.

Inevitable of course, were the interacting forces of the two different cultures at the time which nowadays are still noticeable as consequences of the past.

Visitors can easily reach South Sumatera by air through four major airports at Palembang, Pangkal Pinang, Bangka and Belitung islands, all having direct connections with Medan, Batam, Padang, Jakarta, and not long from now with Singapore too. Air-conditioned buses from points North and West of Palembang are regularly available, as well as from cities on Java and Bali.
PLACES OF INTEREST

The Musi River

By Javanese standards the Musi river is both very broad as well as long, comparable to those found on the big island of Kalimantan, formerly Borneo. The river flows right through the city, cutting it in two halves called the Ulu bank and the Ilir bank and linked by a bridge of considerable size and length, called the Ampera Bridge. If visitors do not care to make an interesting or unique boat trip down the river, they could still take a walk halfway over the bridge to see the vast panorama surrounding them, rare at any other place in Indonesia. Down below they will see unbelievable traffic of boats, big and small, crisscrossing water lines without accidents as if steered by the most able navigators. From the same spot both halves of the city are clearly visible as well. And if the time is right, sunrises and sunsets as witnessed from the bridge would be an unforgettable sight of beauty. Worthwhile noticing are the floating restaurants and shops on both sides of the river, and other curious scenes of daily habits of the city's inhabitants.

An annual event is the Bidar Race, held on or around Independence Day, each 17th of August. Measurements of the competing boats are 24 1/2 m long and only 0.75 m wide, each boat carrying as many as 50 oarsmen.

"Limas", the traditional house

Another interesting item to see is the Limas house which are still found scattered over the province, most of them built on riversides, however, not facing the waterfront. One explanation could be that daily household activities can be done in full privacy, out of sight of passers-by. These very ornate wooden houses built on stilts have rather sizable measurements: from 15 to 20 m in width and from 30 to 60 m in length. A good part of the house has hand-carved columns, door and window frames and cross ventilation between the rooms by placing wooden panels with flow-through carvings just below the ceilings. Indeed, it would almost be a must to observe the architecture and style of these Limas houses, some of them open to the public.

The State Museum

Relatively new the building was erected in 1977 only, however, its collection of around 2000 relics and antiquities originating from the province itself would make a visit here definitely worthwhile. See ancient household articles, utensils, looms, hunting tools, a bridal room and some preserved animals of the region.

Ki Kede Ing Suro ancient cemetery

This cemetery dates back from the 16th century where as many as 38 ancient tombs are found of which one of them belongs to Ki Gede Ing Suro, one of the prominent forefathers of South Sumatera's present society. Notably, these 38 tombs are found under one roof of one building.

Bangka Island's Matras Beach

Bangka Island's Matras Beach

Bangka can best be reached by air from Jakarta by scheduled flight in just about an hour by jet. However, boat service from Palembang to either Muntok or Pangkal Pinang is adequate and should not take more than an overnight voyage. This island lies right at the mouth of the Musi River in the South China Sea and is one of world's major producers of tin.A beach of exceptional measurements, 300 - 400 m wide and 6 1/2 km long, called Matras Beach is located 44 km north of Pangkal Pinang, the island's capital. Fine, white and clean sands make this beach area most attractive to sun and beach lovers, whereas at this time the Parai Beach Hotel with 35 rooms already exists right on the beach.On the other side of the island at Muntok you can find the Ranggam House built in 1921 on the hill overlooking the sea.It is like a big lodging house where at one time the first Indonesian president was held captive along with some of his close followers during the nation's physical revolution.The President's car at the time has still been kept in tact and can be seen by the public at the House's opening hours.Closer to the capital is the Pasir Padi Beach, just 7 km from Pangkal Pinang and is merely a place to rest or swim and sunbathe.There is no accommodation as tourists normally come to this beach from the city and villages around this place, 4 km long and about 20 to 60 m wide with endless coconut trees to give it a genuine tropical setting.

Belitung Island part of sumatra island

Belitung Island

Adjacent to Bangka island is Belitung island, another tin producer, with its capital city called Tanjung Pandan. If you are interested in visiting both islands, the best way to do it is to leave by air from Jakarta to either island first, and then cross over to the other one by boat and onward to Palembang to visit the rest of South Sumatera.

To save time, energy and money, it would not be recommended to make a special side trip to either Bangka or Belitung out of Palembang, but rather these three destinations should best be covered in a single line of direction.

The Belitung Tourism Development Corporation is at present in the midst of a huge tourism project at Tanjung Kelayang Beach, half an hour from the capital by car. A complete beach resort hotel with all modern facilities should be finished by 1992 and promises to become a great success for the area because of its proximity to Singapore, Sumatera and Java.This recently built recreational complex covers an area of 50 hectares, consisting of four parts: an amusement park, a recreation park, an natural forest, and a man-made lake.In this complex are to be found a children's playground, a cultural park, a souvenirs shop, restaurants and an information booth. Because of its proximity to the capital and easy accessibility, this complex actually caters mainly to the local inhabitants of the city of Palembang, however, international tourists may enjoy passing a calm day here to watch urbanites amuse themselves.Rich in the number of small as well as big rivers flowing through this province, waterfalls of various sizes come with them too. The biggest in the region is the where the water smashes down from a height of 90 meters into a deep pool and further downstream in a strong current. By public transportation it takes 2 hours from Palembang, however, less by private car. Located in the Muara Enim regency.

Kamero Island

Forty kilometers from Palembang, Kamero Island is a popular recreation site in the middle of the Musi river. the island has a Buddhist temple.

LAMPUNGTravelling in Indonesia

LAMPUNG part of sumatra island

Lampung is strategically located and easily accessible, particularly from Jakarta. Bandar Lampung, its capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and Telukbetung. In the course of development these towns have spread out to one an other to become one single city. Lampung has its own traditions, high valued handicraft and art creations such as woven cloth, interwoven by gold threads called "tapis".Sumatran elephants, tigers and hundreds of species of birds can be watched at the Way Kambas nature reserve. Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world can be seen when it is blooming at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the southern coastline of Sumatra. The province has a great potential in agriculture, however, its population is small.Agriculture provides the main income to its population, from farming, fishery and plantations. Clove, coffee and coconut grow extensively along the southern coast. While on the eastern part and hinterland they cultivate pepper, coffee, cassava, cocoa and rice, the tobacco growing area is around Lake Ranu in the northern part.t is known that Lampung has been inhabited since prehistoric times. This was proven by the discovery of cultural relics in the form of megalithic sculptures at Kebontebu, Kenali, Pugung and Batubedil. There are historical remains showing that it was under the country's greatest maritime empire Sriwijaya.The influence of Islam is seen from the Tambra Prasasti inscription containing a contract of merchandise supplies between the Kingdoms of Banten and Lampung. Priorto Islam, the inhabitants of Lampung practiced a syncretic Buddhist-Hindu cult.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Bandar Lampung

The capital of Lampung has several interesting places such as the Museum and the Monument of the Krakatau Eruption. Worth while seeing or doing is the weaving process of Tapis textile, art and dance performances or just sunbathing on the beach.

Museum of Lampung

Located at Teuku Umar Street, it can be reached within 15 minutes from the centre of Bandar Lampung. It contains ethnographic and archaeological collections, Chinese ceramics, traditional music instruments, ancient Tapis cloth and ornaments.

Way Kambas conservation wild Sumatran elephants

Way Kambas Reserve and Way Wako River

Way Kambas is a 2-hour drive from Bandar Lampung. 130,000 hectares of area on Lampung's East coast, Way Kambas is the best place to watch wild Sumatran elephants, tigers and many species of birds. Motorboats can be hired at Way Kanan for cruising around and up the river.

Way Kanan River

Here we can sail along Way Kanan and Way Kambas by canoe or boat to watch the surrounding flora and fauna while in the mouth of Way Kambas, it's good for fishing and swimming. In the morning, we can safari for 2 hours through the prepared track and listen to wild animals roaring and birds singing.

Elephant Training Centre

Way Kambas Elephant Training is an international project which is partly funded by the World Wildlife Fund. The aim of training them is to make the captured elephant be useful to mankind.Most visitors come to Way Kambas to see the training centre and to have anopportunity to ride on an elephant.Simple tourist facilities are available at Way Kanan such as lodges, wooden houses on poles, river boats and an observation centre. Way Kambas is accessible by car from Bandar Lampung. The activities and special interests are bird watching, jungle tracking, elephants safari, and river cruises.

Krakatoa mountain part A lampung beatyffull traveling

Krakatoa

An uninhabited island Krakatoa is located on the southern part of the Bay of Lampung. Krakatoa is reachable in three hours by boat from Canti, a fisherman village near Kalianda, South Lampung. This group of islands consists of four islands, one of them is called Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatoa) which has grown higher every year.Anak Krakatau has emerged from the bottom of the sea between three other islands by early 1928 or 45 years after Krakatoa's 1883 formidable eruption.

Pugung Archaeologicai Site

Located in Pugung Raharjo village, 40 km. northeast of Bandar Lampung, is a site of megalithic and prehistoric relics as well as of the classical Hindu Buddhist period. There are primitive trenched fortresses which almost surround its site. Stone inscription, ancient Chinese porcelains, Polynesian statue and the statue of Bodhisatwa are at the museum, a house on poles located on the way to Pugung Raharjo.

Merak Belantung Beach

Located 40 km south of Bandar Lampung on the way to the seaport of Bekauheni. The beach is ideal for swimming and wind surfing. Cottages and equipment for wind surfing are available.

Traveling in bali

Bali trip

A living culture, art and ceremonies, a man warm and scenic beauty of the island of Bali represent almost unreal in today's world in flux and it is therefore the most important destination for tourists to please , in Indonesia. The international airport in Bali, Denpasar, the bridge of eastern Germany, many international airlines and charter flights.

Sanur and Kuta are located in the east and west coasts of the south of the island. The Nusa Dua peninsula at the southern tip remains as a place of vacation.

Bali substantiate its unique culture as a form of Hinduism "Hindu Darma" has been maintained, as a result of the Islamization of Java since developed over the centuries. Although the caste system is observed, it is as rigid notas of India. Religion is the source of traditional customs of the family and community. His influence is also very sensitive to art. With a totally different lifestyle from the rest of Indonesia, the Balinese have managed to preserve their culture, despite the foreign influences of the overwhelming growth in the number of visitors.

Bali's "Rajas" and princes have been deprived of their kingdoms of the colonial government in the first part of this century, but many of them remain in their palaces respected as a promoter of the arts. The drama of classical dance, is based on the old Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabarata or on the local folklore (as Barong dance).

The island of Bali is mountainous in the center with a cluster of volcanoes, one of whose active Mount Agung and sacred. Mitoyenne rice fields dominate the landscape, small streams of water for irrigation.

The attraction of Bali is its unique art and culture. Practically, it seems that every artist is a human being, in any form, whether it be painting, weaving, carving, basketry, etc., or even in the decorations are completed in many shrines in public places, on the roads, rice fields or in homes. Villagers spend their spare time in this art taught by a very young age.

The soul of Balinese is not religion, which finds its expression in art.

A nice people, the Balinese, to focus more on international tourists, as a rule, speak English more than men in other parts of Indonesia. To keep pace and the number of visitors and the need for their accommodation, hotels were built, the small bungalow type for the budget travellers in Nusa Dua luxury resort town. Water Sports grew in popularity: Surfing Kuta, Sanur surfing, sailing and scuba diving tourism in several other parties.
Places of interest

Denpasar

The capital of Bali, Denpasar municipality has a lot of cachet named "Pura". One is the name of the Museum of Pura jagatnatha the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (all temples), meaning the foundation of the world.

The museum offers a beautiful selection of prehistoric and modern art, while its architecture is similar to a palace. The Government will monitor "Kriya Sanggraha Asta" has a wide variety of arts and crafts and works of art. "Werdi Budaya presents an annual Arts Festival, between June and July, with shows, exhibitions, art competitions and so forth.

Sanur

Sanur Beach has long been a popular recreation site for people in Denpasar. The curves of the beach lined with palm trees Bali Beach hotel in a southeasterly direction, overlooking the Indian Ocean heading east. Sanur offers a lot of good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is only a short distance from Denpasar. Public passenger transport in and out of town are within easy reach into the night. Protecting the reefs offshore from the beach against the waves do more for windsurfing, rowing and other water sports.

Kuta



After one village on the road to Denpasar on the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a flourishing tourist resort, especially popular among young people. It is a beach for surfing worse than currents likely to swimming. Côte d'Or, the permanent protection of the mission of the day. Kuta face to the west offers beautiful sunsets.

Hosting international hotels go to the house. The village reflected in the restaurants, shops, nightclubs and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of music and dance of Bali Kuta, specially staged for tourists, as elsewhere in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, residents and visitors.

Nusa Dua

nusa dua beach
The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali. Some of the finest and most luxurious hotels here. The station is known for its white sandy beaches clean and clear water. The wave is slowly along the north side of the peninsula, along the greatest south. The most practical and after transporting Nusa Dua is by taxi.

Batubulan

Driving north-east of Denpasar, stone by the roadside to mark the number of Batubulan village. Gods and demons are mainly for ornamental sandstone houses and temples. Workshops can be visited, for artists to look at the workplace.

Batuan

An ancient and famous centre of art, it is now known for its dances, a wood panel paintings and carving.

Celuk

North East Denpasar, Celuk, the village is known for its silver and gold, jewelry, works of different styles.

Mas

The village of wooden gaffes, many of Bali's old masters still live here. Galleries showing some of his best work. Visitors walking by the Balinese style for wooden houses cut columns and artists at work or trains apprentices, group work.

Ubud

The center of the painting Bali, Ubud's Museum Puri Lukisan has a permanent collection of works of modern art in the Balinese turn of the century. There are also art galleries and the homes of several famous artists here, even the Dutch-born Hans and the American Snel Antonio Blanco., "young artists" popular today in the Balinese style, the painting was done by the Dutch painter Arie Smith. In the past, other foreign painters inspired Balinese artists to adopt Western techniques of traditional Balinese painting, but still produced and sold. Another museum named "Neka Museum has a vast collection of paintings, both by the Indonesian government and foreign artists who are used to live in Bali .

Ubud has several small hotels. Located at a higher altitude with a pleasant climate.

Peliatan

Peliatan is between Ubud and Mas. It is known as the centre of traditional music and dancing. The art of the late local timber Schnitzer began a new model of woodcarving manufacturing of such things as fruits, flowers and trees in their true shapes and colors.

Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah, from the 11 Th Century, and is of the opinion was built as a convent. Sculptures on the wall, a demon of the head above the entrance, flanked by two statues. The cave has a statue of Ganesha. Escavations have discovered a place of bathing prohibition with six statues of nymphs keep water from radiation.

Tampaksiring

holy water tampaksiring

The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the holy spring at Tampaksiring. More than 1000 years, the temple and its two resorts were by men for good health and prosperity, because the water in the hands of forces medicinal. Ceremonies were used for cleaning. Specialties of the region, bone and ivory carving, shells and ornaments.

Kintamani

The villages of Kintamani Penelokan and provide a view of the assets and Mount Lake Batur. The caldera of Batur is impressive: 7 miles in diameter and 60 metres deep. From Penelokan, a road leads to Kedisan on the shore of the lake, where boats can be rented for cross Trunyan. The old village is inhabited by people who call themselves "Bali Aga" or Balinese origin, which have many of their old ways. Jagat Puser The temple has an unusual architecture and is placed under a huge Banyan tree.

Bangli

Pura Kehen is at Bangli, Bali, the second temple. Three terraced houses are firm, in accordance with the steps, and whose balustrades are decorated with carvings and statues. A large Banyan tree with a lowest round of the nuances and the second courtyard, while in the third courtyard, several shrines to the gods and ancestors are found.

Klungkung

The headquarters of the former Hindu kingdom of Java to Bali, from which royalties Balinese draws its line of blood, Klungkung scope was the oldest of the island and its "Raja", most of glory. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of Justice, which was built in the 18th century, is best known for its frescoes painted in the traditional wayang blankets style, the portrait just to hell, and the reward in heaven, and other aspects of morality. The pavilion floating garden and lotus ponds in the walled-in complex, on the main crossroads in the city are a memory of the former splendor of this kingdom.

Goa Lawah

Nine kilometres of Klungkung, Goa Lawah or bat cave. The roof is to thousands of bats, and whose entrance is guarded by a temple to be believed, founded by a sage nine centuries.

Besakih

Known as the "mother temple of Bali," the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of the mountain. Agung is the largest and the most sacred of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, down the stairs by the separation of the most important purposes the court, where shrines Trinity wrapped in towel decorated with flowers and offerings.

Around the three major temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, 18 are separate shrines, the various castes and groups regencies.

For the Balinese, a visit to the temple is one of the shrines of pilgrimage. Everyone has his own birthday or "Odalan". The vision of faith in the context of the mountain is impressive and throughout the festival, colorful banners on a touch of gaiety.

Menjangan Island

This small island from the west coast of the island of Bali is known for its beautiful coral reefs found nearby and the wealth of tropical fish inhabit the waters around him.

The island itself, including Terima Bay, which is characterized by a visit worthwhile because of the beautiful scenery they offer.

Sangeh

Ten hectares of Sangeh nutmeg trees in the forest echoes the apes. The forest should be regarded as sacred, so there is no timber can be cut. Two temples was in the middle of the forest, and another on the periphery. Because they live in the sacred forest, monkeys are also required to saints and are docile, but it is not advisable to play with them.

Tanah Lot

One of the main Bali Wednesday temple of Tanah Lot is a beginning a huge rock surrounded by the sea Built by one of the last priests to come from Java and Bali on 16 century, its rituals include the payment of tribute to the guardian spirits of the sea Snakes toxic marine based on the bedrock of the island, if one considers that the Temple of evil spirits and intruders.

The best time to see Tanah Lot is at the end of the afternoon, when the figure in the temple.

Bedugul


The Bedugul Mountain Resort, 18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent golf courses. The hotel is located near the lake Bratan, surrounded by wooded hills. A beautiful vision, "Ulun Danu" temple appears to rise from the lake. The region offers good opportunities for hiking. Boats can be rented. Water-skiing, parasailing and should be considered well done.

The Bali Handara Country Club has bungalows and a restaurant.

Temple

The main institutions in Bali, the temple reflect the important role played by religion in the life of the Balinese. A temple is a place of communication with the divine spirits by prayers and sacrifices. The holy day, when the gods and the spirits of their ancestors to descend from heaven on earth to visit the Temple of the activity centers.

Temple festivals cleaning of irrigation of holy water. Any common participate in these celebrations, baskets of food and flowers for bids. So what does the temple Pura, a puri, the residence of local princes, the function of a cultural centre.

The music, dance, food, flowers, fruit and was sacrificed as part of the rituals of the temple, please appease the gods and the evil spirit. According to the Hindu caste system, and some of his beliefs and other rites, as the reincarnation, one of the biggest celebrations are cremations, meant for the liberation of souls ready for the revival. Burial only temporarily for family time for the preparation or waiting for others in order for a joint cremation within the Community.

Tenganan

Protected for hundreds of years by the world outside the walls surrounding the village has its old Hindu Tenganan thumb by a strong code of non-alliance with the outside world. It offers services such as dances and rituals Gladiator fighting took place between young people. Tenganan is famous for its "double ikat" gringseng woven materials, ostensibly for the protection of holders of magical powers.

Yeh Saneh

A little further east along the coastal road is Saneh Yeh, an idyllic location that few people know. Just a few metres from the splash of wave is a source of fresh water, cool, has been built around a large swimming pool and gardens for swimmers and picnickers.

Art Center

The Werdhi Budaya Art Center was started in 1973 and completed in 1976: the largest and most comprehensive in a number of cultural centres throughout the Indonesian archipelago by the government over the past ten years.

Designed by the principal architect of Bali, Ida Bagus Tugur (including nine for architects Indonesia National Art Gallery), the large complex is, beyond the very real cultural function, a place to the temples of Bali and architecture in his opulent palaces. Phase open Arda Candra turmhohen with its candidates and the main door of almost rococo Art Museum, a large park, and Balinese pavilions Torheiten have regularly architectural attraction. Built on one of the few still in mid-coconut Hainen Denpasar, the center quickly to a forum for lively entertainment and the visual arts. With three galleries, and a number of stages, the center is wetteiferte Jakarta's Taman Ismail Marzuki of the meeting of the diversity and rapidly changing cultural programs. Since 1975, the centre of the island, at home, 's Dance Academy (ASTI), and a third level Conservatorium, dance and drama of the school for the Performing Arts traditional Balinese. Thanks to the art school on the island is located just outside the centre of the conference halls and space of the exhibition is devoted to the promotion and training of local art students.

Buying Advice

End of paintings, statues carved wooden hand and the screens, silver, and hand-woven cotton and silk painting, Batiken, embroidery and hand clothes for the players, wear, leather and cotton bags, bones cut, Shell decorations, masks, pottery, ceramics, basketry, sandstone statues, bamboo furniture are all available.